Despite the continued downturn in the beef trade, prices held up well at the first round of United Auctions' Bull Sales at Stirling, with Aberdeen-Angus leading the way in terms of lead price and overall average.

Top price was 25,000gns paid for Gordon Barney, a home-bred bull from the Trustees of the Late Gordon Brooke, Earlston, managed by Jonny Elliot. This first prize winner by Rawburn Joe Eric and bred from Linton Gilbertines Brandy, sold to Alasdair and Graeme Fraser, buying for their Idvies herd from Forfar.

Two bulls secured the joint equal top amongst the Beef Shorthorns selling at 20,000gns each. First was the champion, Coxhill Magnum, a roan, polled intermediate bull from Lucinda Townsend, Moffat, purchased by Thistledown Cowford Farms enterprise, Bankfoot, Perth. Backed by home-bred genetics on both sides and brought out by the Rettie team, Magnum is by Ballylinney Glenn and out of Ballylinney Graduate.

Matching that 20,000gns sale was the reserve overall, Rookwith Marvellous, from Ed Page, Page Farms, Rookwith, which came second in his class to the champion. He is by Castlemount Junior, out of the foundation female, Chapelton Waterloo, and sold to Tommy Sutton, North Kinvara, Co Galway, Eire.

Limousins peaked at 13,500gns for reserve senior from Jimmy and Donald MacGregor, Dyke, Milton of Campsie. Dyke Olympian, brought out by stockman John Duncan is by Goldies Lordoftherings and out of the consistent breeding cow, Dyke Amazon, a Haltcliffe President daughter.

A good show of Lincoln Reds was led by Andrew Mylius, St Fort, Tayport, who sold the top priced bulls at 7500gns and 5000gns and the lead female at 3500gns.

By the end of the day 82 Aberdeen Angus bulls average £5820 (-£67) with a 60% clearance; 53 Beef Shorthorn bulls levelled at £4780 (+£104) 61% and 56 Limousin bulls cashed in at £4862 (+£262) 77%.

For full report and photographs see this week's Scottish Farmer.